-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has been charged with improper conduct by the English Football Association .

The former national team captain responded to a tweet describing Chelsea and England left-back as a `` choc ice '' with the message : `` I hear you fella ! Choc ice is a classic ! Hahahahahaha !! ''

In a brief statement published on their website Thursday , the FA announced :

`` The allegation is that the player acted in a way which was improper and/or bought the game into disrepute by making comments which included a reference to ethnic origin and/or color and/or race . ''

Ferdinand , a surprise exclusion from England 's Euro 2012 squad , has until 4pm on 2nd August to respond to the FA 's charge .

The charge is the latest twist in an ongoing saga that began last October , when England and Chelsea defender John Terry was accused of racially abusing Anton Ferdinand , Rio 's brother , during a Premier League game .

Terry was recently found not guilty at Westminster Magistrates Court , but has since been charged by the FA for alleged `` abusive and/or insulting words and/or behavior towards '' , and an allegation `` that this included a reference to the ethnic origin and/or color and/or race of Anton Ferdinand . ''

Ashley Cole , who plays alongside Terry for club and country , was a character witness at the court hearing .

The elder Ferdinand controversially tweeted during the trial , `` Film of the day : Liar Liar ... starring Jim Carey . What a film !! '' , in what many assumed was a coded reference to his former international teammate John Terry .

Meanwhile , Manchester United has announced that car maker Chevrolet will be the club 's new shirt sponsor .

The seven year deal will run from the 2014/2015 season , with the U.S. based company becoming only the fifth shirt sponsor in the club 's 134 year history .

United ' commercial director Richard Arnold described it as a `` fantastic , long-term deal for the club '' , but declined to reveal how much the new deal was worth to the club .

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Manchester United 's Rio Ferdinand charged by FA for comments posted on Twitter

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Former England defender appeared to describe Ashley Cole as a `` choc ice ''

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Tweet related to evidence given at John Terry 's trial for racist abuse towards Anton Ferdinand

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Manchester United have announced a new sponsorhip deal with Chevrolet